Technology is changing more than just the mobile device in your pocket. Many therapeutic advances in medicine have the potential to create a brighter future for the millions of men currently experiencing or facing the prospect of living with erectile dysfunction. The following are the most thought-provoking, innovative, and controversial advancements:

What Are The Latest Advancements for Male Penis Health?

1. THE “P-SHOT”

Named after the Greek God of Fertility, the Priapus Shot or the “P-Shot” claims to increase the size of the penis by 10-20% and produce harder and longer lasting erections. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is extracted from the patient’s own blood, and injected into the penis. The patient is required to use a penis pump over the course of the treatment. The premise is that growth factors in the PRP promote the growth of new blood vessels to the penis. Providers of the P-Shot claim it is the most significant advancement in cosmetic surgery in decades. Coupons for free shots were even included in the 2015 Oscar gift bags. So does it work? The claims are anecdotal and hypothetical, with little scientific research and evidence supporting the claims. The jury is not out on this one, but it sure is interesting.

2. SHOCKWAVE THERAPY

Shockwaves are acoustic waves that carry energy. For many years, urologists have used shockwave therapy to pulverize kidney stones. Low intensity shockwave therapy is a new treatment for ED that - when applied to the penis - facilitates growth of new blood vessels and improves blood flow. A recent pilot study applied shockwaves to five sites in the penis resulting in an increase in the rigidity and durability of erections. An additional study showed positive short-term effects on ED in men who previously responded well to oral ED medications. While preliminary trials are promising, additional research is needed to determine how to best apply the treatment.

3. NANOPARTICLE DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Sounds pretty high tech? Everything with “nano” in it these days sounds good. Nanoparticles are packaged molecules that can hold biologically active materials - such as oral ED medications. For example, a gel that contains such nanoparticles could be applied to the skin of the penis to achieve an erection. This has the potential advantage of the active medication being delivered to the target organ and not distributed throughout the body, avoiding side effects. To date this technology has only been tested in laboratory animals, but shows significant theoretical potential.

4. EXTERNAL PENILE SUPPORT DEVICES

Several companies have recently introduced innovative external devices that are placed on or around the penis to enable penetration. The Erektor is like an “exoskeleton” for the penis and is attached to the penis before intercourse. It consists of two cylindrical rings attached to a rigid rod that is customized to one’s penile length. The penis is stretched and placed within the rings and the rod sits on the undersurface of the penis.

The Penile Cast is an external cast that the penis is inserted into and has openings that allow for sensation. Like the Erektor, the Penis Cast is also worn during intercourse. Both innovative devices provide short-term solutions to assist with erectile rigidity, but do not address the underlying causes of ED.

5. PENILE VIBRATORS

Penile vibratory stimulators, such as the Viberect X2, provoke an erection by sending high-frequency vibrations directly into the shaft - just below the head of the penis. Another model of penile stimulator, the Viberect X3 is also being used to help men with spinal cord injuries. While they tend to be noisy and a bit cumbersome, they effectively create a short-term erection and assist with ejaculation. Next generation models will most likely be smaller and quieter, but even today, they can be very effective.

6. PELVIC MUSCLE EXERCISES

Many of us are familiar with pelvic muscle exercises - also known as Kegel exercises - for women. However, clinical trials in men have demonstrated the effectiveness of these exercises for ED. The male pelvic muscles strongly contribute to erectile rigidity. As men age, these muscles weaken and often are responsible for soft erections and issues with ejaculation.

The Private Gym is a comprehensive, interactive, follow-along exercise program that provides the resources to strengthen these muscles. This FDA registered program is effective, safe and easy-to-use and is rapidly being adopted as a first-line approach for the management of male sexual dysfunction.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andrew Siegel, M.D., Urologist, Co-founder of The Private Gym, and author of the highly acclaimed book, Male Pelvic Fitness, Optimizing Your Sexual and Urinary Health.

The Private Gym Program is the first FDA-registered pelvic muscle training system for men. In a four-month clinical trial, 75% of men improved erectile rigidity and 90% reported great improvement in their sexual self-confidence. Learn more about how you can strengthen and maintain these critical muscles at The Private Gym for Men.